Violent Clashes, Claims of Acid Throwing at Melbourne Anti-Weapons Protest

Police have used bean bag rounds, flashbang grenades, and pepper spray on protesters outside an arms manufacturers’ expo, claiming demonstrators sprayed acid.

Protesters confront police outside the Land Forces 2024 arms fair in Melbourne on Sept. 11, 2024. William West/AFP via Getty Images

Violent clashes have broken out between police and protesters outside the Land Forces exhibition at Melbourne’s South Wharf. The conference and trade exhibition is held once every two years, attracting hundreds of defence officials and personnel from around the world.

Among the more than 800 organisations represented this year, many are exhibitors, including several weapons manufacturers.